This week I have been blessed to be a part of the First Annual Missions Workshop at Rose Hill Church of Christ with our missionary from Africa, Dorian Flynn. I have never been a part of a missions workshop that took place during the time that normally a gospel meeting would've been held.
On Sunday, Dorian Flynn gave us an update on his work with Partners 4 Africa and preached two wonderful lessons. On Monday and Tuesday, we had men with missions experience come in and speak about their work, followed by a round table discussion with questions coming from the audience. Wednesday, Dorian again presented another wonderful lesson that closed out our workshop for this year.
I am truly thankful for the men who had the vision to put something like this together. It was truly inspiring to hear of all the wonderful things that God is doing through His servants around the world. It takes a special person to have the heart to be a missionary, especially overseas, and I am truly thankful that God is working through missionaries all over the world to spread the gospel.
One thing that helped to reignite a fire was the discussion on short-term missions. I've read several articles lately of the lack of change in a person that short-term missions has. Personally, I've always seen growth in people and a renewed energy to continue in God's work. However, to hear it straight for a missionary's mouth that short-term missions is something we need to be doing more of, was a breath of fresh air. Dorian explained that every youth, parent, adult, leader, etc. needed to at least be a part of a short-term trip (especially domestic) if they could not or would not go overseas. I have a heart to do short-term missions, but a life as a missionary? I don't feel called or compelled to do that, not yet anyways.
While life of missions overseas is great, we have a whole world in our own backyard in Columbus, GA. When Jesus said, "Go into all the world...", I think we sometimes miss the big picture and we focus too much on foreign missions and not domestic missions. Yes, a spark was ignited in me this week for missions work and I want to continue being a missionary, in Columbus, GA. I firmly believe we have so many opportunities to minister to people here and we have not seized those opportunities yet. It's going to take a lot of prayer, God's power, and faith but I believe we can a mission minded church right here in Columbus, GA.
Think of the possibilities: a homeless ministry, an inner-city ministry, clothing those in need, serving those who are financially strapped, a military ministry, and this doesn't begin to touch the service. My prayer is that we will open our heart to the mission field that lies before us and walk through the doors that God is opening up for us.
As our Socktober drive wrapped up, I was reminded of just how easy it is to be a servant to someone in need. For the month of October we asked for people to donate new socks, toiletries, non-perishable food, and blankets. The socks and blankets we will hand out directly to our homeless community for the winter while the supplies will go to our local homeless shelter. I was reminded of two verses:
1. Deuteronomy 15:11 - "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’"
- There will always be people to serve. There will always be people in need. There will always be people who are poor. We need to open our hands and heart more to these people, to be a compassionate people.
2. Matthew 5:16 - "...let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven"
-That's what it is about giving glory to our Father in Heaven and getting others to see His glory. The way we do that is allowing our light to shine through our good works. We can shine our light anywhere, but I want Rose Hill and our congregation to make a special effort to allow it to shine brighter here in our city.
Pray with me:
Father, we are so thankful for the many things you are doing around the world through mission work. I stand in awe of your almighty power. Father, I pray you will ignite a fire in us to be more mission minded, to take our mission to heart, and take your word to Columbus, GA. If there are opportunities that are waiting for us, I ask that you show it to us so we can continue to let our light shine and do good works. Help us to understand that everything we do, it's not through selfish ambition, but to give you the glory. I ask that you will bring revival to Columbus and reignite a passion in us to know your word and bring souls to Christ. Thank you for your continued love and I pray we never take that for granted but that we share your love to others. Bless Rose Hill, help us to be the church that helps the needy, supports the poor, and serves without conditions. Thank you for giving us the example of the ultimate servant, so we can pattern our lives after Him. It's in His most precious, holy, and loving name we pray. Amen.
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